Letters To The Editor

To the Editor: Several weeks ago in these pages I voiced support for the University of Chicago and Mesa Development’s proposal for construction on the so-called 53rd St. McMobil site. While I still believe that that apartment building will be a net asset to the neighborhood, I also wish to join my neighbors in adopting(…)

To the Editor: As the chair of the Kenwood Academy local school council, I had the privilege of congratulating and shaking the hands of every graduate that crossed the stage at the school’s recent commencement ceremony. As I looked into their eyes, listened to the cheers of their family members and watched them hug their teachers(…)

To the Editor: According to the Herald, at the recent Chicago Plan Commission meeting, one of the supporters of Vue53, Richard Gill (of the South East Chicago Commission), encouraged the commission “not to allow fear of traffic congestion to deter their vote.” Gill said, “This project is too important to the neighborhood to be derailed(…)

To the Editor: Mary Fano Giacomoni in her letter of June 5 states that Hyde Park is losing trees. This is correct, although the reasons are not primarily due to building development. Trees in our urban environment have a difficult time even under ideal circumstances. They have suffered greatly from alien pests/diseases such as Dutch(…)

To the Editor: Since my move out of the Hyde Park neighborhood club, I have now found a new home at the United Church of Hyde Park, 1448 E. 53rd St., at Blackstone Avenue. The move was made possible by all the wonderful parents whose children I teach every day. I appreciate the trust they instill(…)

To the Editor: Chicago Hyde Park Village thanks everyone who came to and supported our pilot Drop-In program at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5500 S. Woodlawn Ave. The third Drop-In last Friday, June 7, was the best of all. We had some lively discussions, delicious focaccia sandwiches prepared for us by Hyde Park Produce and “stress(…)

To the Editor: Well, after several letters of “support” for the McMobil project, still not one has attempted to put forth a rational argument for erecting That Specific Building on That Specific Site. That’s of course because there is no rational way to support construction of any building so out of scale with its surroundings.(…)

To the Editor: Seniors in Hyde Park will not want to miss the opportunity to drop in and hang out with University of Chicago students this Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the meeting room of Augustana Lutheran Church at 55th Street and Woodlawn Avenue. This will be the third such Drop-In, sponsored(…)

To the Editor: My husband and I recently visited the Hyde Park Village’s drop-in center for seniors. The Village tried the program out to gauge interest, and may start it up again in the fall if the number of attendees is high enough. The Drop-In, which includes discussions, socialization and lunch, is not to be(…)

To the Editor: I’m writing this letter in support of Mesa Development’s plans for the Vue53 project. As a somewhat newer resident to the neighborhood, I have become acutely aware of the need for additional providers of goods and services throughout the community. My family has become far too accustomed to making the trek north(…)

To the Editor: When my family and I moved to Hyde Park from Washington, D.C., in the mid 1960s, we noted a number of very positive similarities in the two communities. Lots of green: trees and grass were plentiful. A sense of space: buildings were, for the most part, low with parkways and lawns. The(…)

To the Editor: I fully support the proposed redevelopment of the “McMobil” site (Vue53). I have lived in Hyde Park for a decade with my wife and three kids. We could live anywhere in Chicago but we decided to raise our family here in Hyde Park. With confidence, I can say that there is no(…)

To the Editor: I fully support the efforts of Mesa Development LLC to revitalize 53rd Street with its high-rise and leased commercial space. As a long-time resident, I welcome the opportunity to secure more stores and restaurants with quality options for Hyde Park residents. Our family has decided to live in Hyde Park all of(…)

To the Editor: Chicago Hyde Park Village thanks the Hyde Park Herald for your help in publicizing our pilot Drop-In programs for older residents. We did not have much lead time, but with the support of the Herald and neighbors, we’ve managed to get out the word. About two dozen people have joined us for(…)

To the Editor: After years of getting unwanted flyers, newsletters and other ads littering up our Hyde Park house, I finally put up a “no flyers” sign on the gate to our yard two years ago. But we still get this clutter on a daily basis, and some local merchants are the worst about it:(…)

To the Editor: I am writing in support of the Vue53 development. Many letters have already been written in favor (and against) this development. I wanted to take a historical prospective. Hyde Park used to be a more urban neighborhood that had a denser population and several thriving commercial districts. During Urban Renewal, the population(…)

To the Editor: At the May 7 meeting of the 53rd Street TIF Advisory Council, Mesa Development claimed that it was providing 230 parking spaces for the McMobil development, which exceeded the 200 parking spaces required under existing zoning. This claim is contradicted by the traffic study prepared by Mesa’s consultant, KLOA. The traffic study(…)

To the Editor: Eva Lewis, 8th grader at Kenwood Academy High School Academic Center, and I, Valerie Andrews-Lewis, Eva’s mother, would like to thank all of our supporters for their very generous contributions in making it possible for Eva to represent Illinois and Kenwood Academy as a participant in the Kenneth E. Behring National History(…)

To the Editor: I was happy to see the Chicago Plan Commission passed the plan to build Vue 53. I think it is an improvement for Hyde Park. When I walk down 53rd Street from Lake Park to Ellis avenues, I notice how underdeveloped Ellis to Kenwood avenues is. The building is in scale for(…)

To the Editor: The McMobil development promises benefits that few Hyde Park residents would reject: more retail stores, new consumers to patronize them, a lively presence of new residents on 53rd Street and in Nichols Park, unionized employment during the construction period and after and a percentage of low-cost housing units. I embrace all of(…)

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Read This Week’s Herald

From the LETTERS Page

"Dreams of two separate owners swooping in to buy each of these houses and then spending what might well be $1 million each in renovations in addition to the purchase price are not likely to come true."From "B&B proposals a practical choice"

"At the meeting, we could not even discuss how the bed-and-breakfast would be operationalized because the vast majority of attendees at the meeting did not want a bed-and-breakfast under any circumstance."From "Ald. Burns explains B&B decision"

"The university has invested a great deal in Harper Court and 53rd Street to help attract amenities, create jobs and support new business opportunities. As neighbors, we are committed to seeing Hyde Park flourish, now and in the future."From "Clearing the air on Harper Court"

Upcoming Events

Weinstein Weekend. 5:45 p.m. K.A.M. Isaiah Israel, 1100 E. Hyde Park Blvd. Join us for a fabulous weekend of storytelling for children and children at heart with Howard Shwartz. The family services starts at 5:45(...)

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